Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole...

My sister and I exchanged early birthday presents today. She asked for a Batman t-shirt, (unfortunately there were none that she liked so she settled for some fancy lip gloss), and I asked for Alice, a resent Syfy channel mini series that retells the Alice in Wonderland story. If you follow my blog then you of course realize yes, I do in fact love Alice in Wonderland. One of my favorites to be sure. While watching the mini series tonight, (which is worth checking out, it wasn't amazing, but still pretty good) I decided on another reason why I love the story so much. It is absolutely tragic. I mean heart wrenchingly, epically, unavoidably tragic. "But Stephen, it's a happy ending!" Yes I know, calm down. It is a happy ending, but every version I read or watch, ends almost the same. Alice goes through these life changing experiences, makes amazing new friends, and then wakes up. It isn't real. Wonderland, despite all it's wonder and glory, does not, nor can it remain. At the closing of the first book, Alice wakes up and her sister has this to ponder:

"...thinking of little Alice and all her wonderful Adventures, till she too began dreaming after a fashion, and this was her dream:- [she goes on to dream of all the wonderful creatures from Wonderland] So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality- the grass would be only rustling in the wind, and the pool rippling to the waving of the reeds- the rattling teacups would change to tinkling sheep-bells, and the Queen's shrill cries to the voice of the Shepherd-boy- and the sneeze of the baby, the shriek of the Gryphon, and all the other queer noises, would change (she knew) to the confused clamour of the busy farm-yard- while the lowing of the cattle in the distance would take the place of the Mock Turtle's heavy sobs. Lastly, she pictured to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all of her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood; and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even with the dream of Wonderland of long ago; and how she would feel with all their simple sorrows, and find a pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child-life, and the happy summer days."

Wonderland, deep down, is nothing more than childhood. That's what is beautiful about it. We go there in order to grow up. Alice arrives in Wonderland and falls in love with all of the childish and silly people that reflect her. She sees them and realizes after a while, it isn't what she wants. Then she wakes up. No matter how long we want to hold on to the carefree days of childhood, we all have to wake up, grow up. We cannot remain in Wonderland. This equally explains why every reimagining of this story is much darker and sinister. When Alice grows up, so does Wonderland. Wonderland is a magical wonderful place. I am grateful to have spent a portion of my childhood there, but like everyone else I had to wake up. Dreams don't last forever. And so, whether the story is being told by American McGee, the Syfy Channel, Walt Disney, Tim Burton, Hallmark, or anyone else, Wonderland is that last desperate attempt to clutch at our innocence. Whenever we go back, it's not the same, it grew up. You can never recapture that brief period of time, you can just appreciate the affect it had on your life. Smile. And then go on to the next Adventure.

Alice through the ages:

A Good Omen To Be Sure...

This morning did not get off to the best start. Last night I could not sleep, but eventually I passed out in the wee hours of the morning. Then I had my alarm set for 6 am so I would have plenty of time to shower and have a banquet breakfast at the Canon Center before my 8 o'clock New Testament test. Well, I slept in and woke up a bit after 7. So I hurriedly got dressed and ran out the door with out my refreshing morning shower. Never a fun way to start the day contrary to what I had planned. The past couple of days it has warmed up, it feels like winter is finally over and spring has arrived. Sunshine, warmth, the works. Well as I walk to campus I see something that I had forgotten about, something I had not seen since my time here last summer. A hot air balloon. As I looked up at it floating blissfully through the sky I was instantly transported back to summer term. When I would see the same balloon each morning during my walk to campus. Back when life was relaxed, everything was simpler, and there was hardly a care in the world. While gazing at this peaceful transport, all my stress and cares are washed away and I feel carefree and happy. A good example of the use of classical omens is in the 1962 film The 300 Spartans (an extremely family friendly version of the story of Leonidas and his army). They ask the oracle to look for an omen of how their battle will turn out. The oracle speaks of hawks and eagles, and of how it is a good omen. Well he might have been mistaken, but I feel this balloon is a good omen for me. I'll be just fine, just like I was in summer term.

The Joys of Acting

Last night I filmed what will be my last student film for a long time. This makes my third starring role. Two main characters and one supporting character. The first film I was the roommate who helps the main character get a job as a mechanic. In the second film I was a newly hired employee for Pranksters Inc. getting trained on my first night on the job. My final film I was an employee of some company trying to work up the courage to talk to the love of my life who I ride in the elevator with every day. For the most part each character was pretty much me as a person, so it was very easy for me to act. The funny thing is that each one of the films was for a TMA 185 class, so I show up in half of the classes projects. I'm a star! I have really enjoyed each of the projects, but I would have to say that the one I enjoyed the most was the third one. The elevator one. So the story of my casting in these movies was I went to an audition. That got me the part in the first two, and a different third one, but due to scheduling conflicts I had to pull out of that one. Moving on, so I got the part in the third one because the guy who did the lights for the pranksters movie called me up a couple of days ago and asked me to be in his. And that is how I got into all of them movies. I will post links to them once they finish getting edited and whatnot. I am very excited to see the final products. Now then, let me tell the story of why last night's shoot was my favorite. Hmm...after a few minutes of typing the story and thinking about it, I have decided not to share the story. Better to let it be a surprise, because it is hilarious, and it was a HECK of a surprise to me. That is, I mean that it was contrary to what the script said, I'm guessing for the reason of getting a genuine reaction out of me. So, with that I shall leave you in suspense. Fare the well.

The Stage vs The Screen

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for the smack down of the century. In one corner we have the age old classic, the high societies representative, Theater! And in the other corner, we have the current people's champ, the fighter for the common man, Movies! Now, these two brothers have been at it since the first movin' picture. Theater has a few more centuries under its belt than film does, but that's not to say it is superior. Now then, onto business. I am not here to talk about which of the two I say is better, that is a can of worms I do not want to open. I will just say, watching a good movie, and a good play both rock. Now then, that being said, I prefer to work in film. Over this semester I have been involved in both, and I can definitely say that I prefer working in film. At this point I am talking about working in them as an actor, I won't get into other jobs. I love acting in both mediums, but I prefer the camera to the crowd. Don't get me wrong, nothing can beat the rush you get when you act in front of a crowd, but if you are having an off day it is nice to have the multiple chances that the camera guarantees. I played the part of a spider in the play and the part of a regular guy in the two short films I was in. I do love working on a stage, but the spontaneity that the camera allows is wonderful. Do a little something different each time, crack jokes and practice in between takes. Love it. This morning we were finishing shooting for a project, and we filmed the beginning (BUT THAT'S BACKWARDS!!) Calm down it's OK, they edit it so it is right. So the guy playing the boss walks out and tells the other character that he did not get the job, and that I did. The other character then with a look of absolute pure disgust gets on his skateboard and slowly glides away, all while staring us down. For the life of me I could not stop laughing. It took every ounce of muscle control to keep from smiling and laughing, and even still, after I post the link to the video, I'm sure I'll still be smiling and cracking up in the final product. You don't generally have moments like that in plays, at least with my experience. Anywho, I have lost track of what I was even saying, and getting at. I like making moves.
The End.

Always Wash Your Hands After Applying Rogain Before You Scratch Your Face...

When I was but a young and lowly deacon, Scott Schaerrar (family friend) shared with me some advice that has stuck with me all these years, I will paraphrase it for you..."Be sure that you wash your hands after applying rogain before you give your wife a back massage..." Deep stuff, deep stuff. (Don't worry Joy, I am sure you don't have a hairy back). The other night I went and saw a movie, "but Stephen, what movie would this advice be relevant to??" Calm down, calm down. I'm getting there, it was this:

Woah! That's a lot of body hair! Now then, I do love the classic Universal horror movies. Although werewolves are fairly universal I do not mean the word like that, I mean the classic b horror films that Universal Studios put out in the good ol' days of the black and white silver screen. Before we get to what I thought of the film, this movie did not do good in theaters, and got over all poor ratings. I liked it. "But Stephen, four out of five dentists (or critics in this case) can't be wrong can they?!" My apologies, I can not speak for the critics that disliked this movie, I can only speak for myself. And as this is my blog, my word will be the only one that we examine today. Hurray! So, I can see why people didn't like this movie, you have to view it with a certain type of glasses, (no not those 3d kinds James Cameron!) you have to look at the film as exactly what it is meant to be, a Universal horror picture. They do a stupendous job of capturing the spirit of the black and white classics. Not too much plot. The hero struggling to maintain his humanity and protect those he loves from himself. Heck, he even tries to protect those he dislikes. And what could be better than a classic black and white horror picture? A remake that puts the same situation in a breathtakingly beautiful 1890's London, and features the tragic hero absolutely wrecking people. I mean straight up ripping them to shreds. So, obviously this movie is not for those with a weak stomach. Probably my favorite moment is when Del Torro's character is tied to this chair in an insane asylum (he has been sent there for brutally murdering people and claiming to have done it as a werewolf) and surrounded by scientists and professors all observing him. The idea is they are going to prove to him that he will not turn into a werewolf once the full moon rises. He keeps on screaming what has become one of my favorite attempts to warn people of danger: "You morons! I'll kill all of you!!" Not a threat, a warning, I love it. Naturally he turns into a werewolf and proceeds to do what they do best, jack people up. And of course the scientists have locked themselves in for some unexplainable part of the experiment. Love it. If you like blood and guts, Universal horror pictures, and all around beautiful landscapes/environments then go check out The Wolfman.

In closing let me just say this, Stephanie Meyer, you are dumb. This is what a werewolf looks like:

THEY DO NOT LOOK LIKE THIS:

This is a dog, not a werewolf, or a wolfman, a DOG. The point of a werewolf is that it is different from the two species that make it up, it either looks like a horrible monster, or some combination of the two. It does not look like your beloved childhood pet Mr. Snuffles. Follow the rules that pertain to Vampires and other mythical creatures you have crapped all over, or stop writing. Actually come to think of it, whether or not you start obeying the literary rules already set up, just stop writing. You are not good at it. You write like a twelve year old. But kudos to your ability to manipulate teenage girls.

I digress, this is a movie review post and not a "Why Stephanie Meyer should have her hands crushed review." Wolfman was good, go check it out.